Awning



2 sheets-sheet 1 Sept. 3, 19.46.

H., MASHMEYER AWNING l Filed June 13, 1945 Sept. 3, 1946. H. MASHMEYR AWNING 2 Sheets-Skiset 2 Filed June u, 1945 Patented Sept. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE AWNING Herman Mashmeyer, Jacksonville, Fla.

Application June 13, 1945, Serial No. 599,243

7 Claims. 1

My present invention relates to awnings, and has particular reference to an awning composed of a plurality of slidably connected sections adapted to selectively occupy a normally inoperative or non-shadingposition with the several sections disposed in superimposed relation at the top of the awning; or a normally operative or shading position with the several sections disposed in extended relation; or an intermediate position wherein certain of the sections are superimposed lwhile others are extended.` `The device of my present invention, like awnings of known construction, is adapted for use on windows, doors, porches and the like, and serves as a means for preventing sun, rain or the like from entering the window or door or impinging upon the porch or other area coveredby the awning.

it is an object of my present invention to provide an awning of the so-called Outrigger type which comprises a suitable frame adapted for at-` tachment to the outside of a window, door or the like, and `which frame is adapted to support a plurality of slidably connected, horizontally disM posed sections of sheet-like material 'such as wood, metal, stiiened fabric, plastic or the like, which sections, when in their extended positions, constitute the protective portion of the awning.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide an awning composed of a plurality of slidably connected, horizontally disposed sections adapted to be moved to a normally inoperative or non-shading position wherein the several sections are disposed in superimposed relation, or to a normally operative or shading position wherein the sections are disposed in extended relation, and to associate with such sections a suitable frame or frames adapted for attachment to a door or Window frame or other portion ofa dwelling to support said sections and to guide the same during their sliding movements.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide an awning of the above mentioned character, and to associate with the same a novel and eficient means for operating the relatively movable sections to move them to and from the desired positions with respect to the supporting frame and to the window, door or the like to which the awning is attached.

It is a still further object of my present invention to provide an awning which may advantageously be made of relatively thin sheet metal or the like, and an awning which is strong and durable, which is cheap and easy to manufacture, which is simple in construction and opera- 2 tion, and which is otherwise highly eicient in the purposes for which designed.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have shown the preferred embodiment of my present invention:

v Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the awning showing the same in extended or shading position on the outside of a window frame,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing ghe awning in retracted or non-shading posiion, I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section, showing the details of the pin and slot connection between the several sections of the awning,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly .in section, 1showing the preferred means for mounting the-awning; frame and the uppermost Vsectionof .the awning on a window frame or the like,`

Y Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Figi but diagrammatic in so far as the awning and window frame are concerned, and showing in detail an arrangement of pulleys and flexible operating means for moving the slidably connected sections to various positions with respect to the supporting frame,

Figs. 6 and 7 are, respectively, an enlarged fragmentaryside view and a perspective View with cover sections removed, of the lower right hand corner of the awning as viewed in Fig.` i, and showing detailsof construction, and A Fig. 8 is `a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, showing the manner in which the uppermost member of the supporting frame of the awning functions to retain the sections in proper position when such sections are in their extended positions. 4

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawings,y wherein like reference numerals have 'been employed to designate like parts through- `out the severalviews, the numeral I designates,

broadly, a rectangular window frame of any desired or preferred construction. At each side of the frame `I there is attached a suitable frame 2 for supporting the awning and for guiding the slidably-connected awning sections to be hereinafter described, the frame 2 preferably being constructed from flat metal stock which is readily bendable but which is suiliciently strong and rigid to perform its intended function. The npper end of each 'awning frame member 2 is rigidly attached to the upper, outer face of the window frame I by means of suitable screws or other fastenings which pass through apertures in an upturned portion 4 bent to occupy a position parallel to the outer surface of the window frame I. Each awning frame member 2 includes a portion 5 which extends downwardly and outwardly with respect to the window frame I for a suitable distance, and at a proper angle, which distance and angle are determined by the size of the window and the size of the awning to be employed, and is then bent rearwardly to form a horizontally extending portion 6, the inner end 'I of which is bent to occupy a position parallel to the plane of the window frame I and which bent portion is attached to the outer face of the side member of said window frame below the point of attachment of the upper portion 4 by means of suitable screws or other fastenings 8. A strip 9 preferably formed from nat metal stock, is associated with each awning frame 2 and has its lower end I9 bent downwardly as best shown in Fig. 6, and said lower end is attached to the upper surface of the inclined portion 5 of the awning frame by a bolt II which passes through the strip 9 and through the inclined portion 5 of the awning frame, the arrangement being such that the strip S is maintained in parallel, spaced relation with respect to the upper surface of the inclined portion 5. The upper end of the strip is bent upwardly as at I2, to occupy a position parallel to the upturned portion 4 of the awning frame, this upturned portion I2 being provided with an elongated slot I3 adapted to receive therethrough, a screw I 4 which passes through an aperture in upturned portion 4. 'Ihe head of screw I4, or a suitable washer disposed beneath said head, overlies the outer face of the upturned portion I2, and the screw I4 is screwed into the window frame I only to a sufficient extent to cause said head or washer to bear lightlyupon the outer surface of said upturned portion I 2, whereby said end may be moved vertically for an extent determined by engagement between the shank of the screw I4 and the walls defining the ends of the slot I3.

The protective portion of my improved awning nosed top portion I5 and depending, verticallyA disposed side portions I6. In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated an awning consisting of five of these sections which I have numbered I1, I8. I9, and 2|, The relative lengths of these sections I5 increase progressively from the lowermost section I1 to the uppermost section 2I so that these sections are slidable one within and beneath another. and the lengths of the depending. vertically disposed side portions I6 increase progressively from the lowermost section I I to the uppermost section 2I so that the bottom edges of the several side portions will be disposed in the same horizontal plane when the said sections are in their extended positions. The intermediate sections I8, I9 and 2U are of like construction excent for their progressively increasing lengths and the progressively increasing lengths of their depending side portions I 6.

The uppermost section 2I is provided at the top thereof with an upstanding ange 22 which has vertical slots near its ends adapted to receive therethrough the screws I4 above referred to. The section' 2l is placed on the top of the portion 5 of the spaced awning frames 2 and beneath the strip 9 with the slots in said section' in alinement with the slots I3 in strips 9. Screw I4 is then inserted through the alined slots I3 and the slots in the upturned ange 22, and said screw is secured into the window frame I so that the head of said screw or the washer positioned beneath said head bears lightly on the outer surface of the upturned portion I2 whereby said section 2I and said upturned portion I2 may partake of vertical movements.

The lowermost section Il is provided at its outer edge with a depending front portion 23, the lower edge of which is cut or otherwise formed to simulate the scallops of a conventional canvas awning, and which front portion is of a length which insures that its lower edge will be disposed in the same horizontal plane occupied by the lower curved edges of depending portions Iii of sections I8, I9, 20 and 2I when the sections are in their extended positions. The depending portion 23 of section Il is provided at each end thereof with a vertically extending slot 24 and with a cut-out portion 25, and lugs 26, having apertures 21 and 28 therein, are secured to the front face of said depending portion 23 by means of screws 29 and overlie each of the cut-out portions 25, said lugs extending upwardly and above the upper surface I5 of the lowermost section Il. The width of slot 24 is slightly greater than the width of the awning frame member 5 so that the section I1 is freely slidable along the length of said member.

Sections I1, I 8, I9, 20 and 2! are slidably connected to each other by means of pin and slot connections comprising headed pins or rivets 3D mounted on each of the depending side portions IS near the forward or outer edges thereof and disposed in elongated slots 3i cut through said depending portions I6, said slots extending substantially parallel to the member 5 of the awning frame 2 and being staggered with respect to each other as clearly shown in Fig. 1. By virtue of this construction, it is possible to arrange the several sections so that the forward edge of an upper adjacent section overlaps the rear edge of the next adjacent section, this overlapping arrangement .being effected and maintained by the engagement between the Shanks of the headed pins or rivets 30 and the walls defining the lower or outer ends of elongated slots 3I. Since the length of the sections progressively increase from section I'I to section 2l, it is possible to move the sections together, one within and beneath another as best shown in Fig. 2, in which positions the headed pins or rivets will occupy positions at the rear or inner ends of the slots 3 I, it being noted that the heads of said pins or rivets are relatively smooth and at to permit this nesting of the said sections and the sliding of saidsections within and beneath each other.

The preferred means for operating the sections of my improved awning, consists of a system of flexible cords, ropes, chains or the like, suitable pulleys, and suitable cleats. I have illustrated this preferred operating means in Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings, from which it will be noted that a flexible element 32 has one end passed through the aperture 28 in the lug 26 at the right hand side of the awning as viewed in Fig. 5, the end of said element being knotted adjacent the rear face of said lug. This element 32 is passed around pulley 33, then over pulley 34, then across the width of the awning and over pulley 35, then downwardly and upwardly to form the elongated, depending loop 36, then over pulley 31, then downwardly and around pulley 38, and

then through aperture 28 in the lug 26 at the left hand side of the awning as viewed in Fig. 5, the end of this flexible element 32 being knotted adjacent the rear face of said lug. A second flexible element 3S has one end passed through the aperture 21 in the lug 26 at the left hand side of the awning as viewed in Fig. `5, the end of said element being knotted adjacent the front face of said lug. This element 39 extends upwardly and then over pulley 4i), then across the width of the awning and over pulley 4I, then downwardly and upwardly to form the elongated, depending loop 12, then over pulley 43, then through aperture 2'! in the lug 2G at the Aright hand side of the awning as viewed in Fig. 5, the end of this flexible element 39 being knotted adjacent the front face of said lug. Each of the elongated, depending loops 35 and A2, respectively, has the flexible elements thereof tied, knotted, or clipped together, as is usually the case with the flexible operating cords or loops of conventional awning, Venetian blind or like operating cords or loops, such knotting, tying. or clipping together insuring even operation of the awning by anl even pull on the flexible elements constituting each of the said depending loops. Unless the elements consti`1 tuting each loopy 36 or 42 are knotted, or otherwise secured together, or unless the person raising or lowering the awning exerts an even and uniform pull on the flexible elements of each loop, it is sometimes diflicult to obtain smooth even operation of the awning. Suitable cleats 44 and 45 are secured on the outer face ofthe window frame l, which cleats may have the loops 36 and Q2 of the nexible elements wrapped therearound to maintain lthe sections of the awning in the desired nesting intermediate, or extended positions.

It is believed that the operation of my improved awning will be readily apparent from the foregoing description of the construction thereof. Suffice it to Asay that when the sections occupy their extended positions as illustrated in Fig. 1, and when it is desired to move said sections to the retracted, "nested or non-shading position illustrated in Fig. 2, it is merely necessary to loosen loops 35 and 42 from their respective cleats and to pull downwardly on the depending loop d2. Such action o-n the part of the operator will cause the lowermost section Vl to slide upwardly along the inclined portions 5 cf the awning frames at opposite sides of the window frame until the said lowerrnest section i 'i slides beneath the next succeeding section l, whereupon the lugs 26 will en lower edge of section i8 and will cause the sections l'l and I8 to slide beneath the next succeeding section lll.` The lugs 26 willnext engage the lower Yedge of section I9 and will cause the sections I1, I8 and I9 to slide beneath the next succeeding section 2.5i, whereupon. the` lugs 26 will engage the lower edge of section ZG and will cause the sections I1, I8, IS and 2! to slide beneath the uppermost section 2l. The loops 36 and 42 are then wrapped around the cleats 45 and lidi, respectively, to thus retain the sections of the awning in their retracted, nested or nonshading positions. As' above stated, the flexible elements of loops 3S and d2 are preferably knotted or otherwise secured together. to insure even and uniform operation of each loop and, hence, uniform and even operation of the awning.

When it is desired to move the sections of the awning from their positions shown in Fig. 2 to their positions shown in Fig. 1, the loops 36 and 42 are disengaged from the cleats 45 and 44,

respectively, and the operator pulls downwardly on the depending loop 36 whereupon the sections willl be moved downwardly along the inclined frame sections 5 to assume the positions shown in Fig. 1, the pin and slot connections between the several sections limiting this downward movement to insure a proper overlapping of the outer or forward edge of each section with respect to the inner or rear edge of the adjacent section.

When the sections are moved from the positions shown in Fig. 1 to the positions shown in Fig. 2, it will be noted that the upper ends of the strips 9 and the uppermost section 2I will be elevated to permit the underlying sections II, i8, I9 and 2U to assume positions within and beneath the section 2l, due tothe elongated slots I3 in the'upturned ends l2 of the strip 9 and the elon-` gated slots in the upturned portion 22 of section 2|, these upturned portions being freely slidable with respect to the screws I4. As clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the strips 9 function as wind guards to prevent upward movement of the cooperating sections of the awning with respect to the supporting portions 5 of the awning frame members.

It will thus be seen thatI have perfected an awning construction which adequately fulfills the objects of my present invention and which possesses many novel and desirable features of construction and operation over the awnings of the prior art. It will be obvious that by removing the strips 9, the sections l1, I8, IS, 2O and 2| may be readily lifted off of their` supporting frames to' be cleaned and/or painted. It will also be obvious that the entire awning and its supporting frame structure and accessories may be made of metal or other material or materials of a relatively indestructible nature and that it will not be necessary to remove the awning from the window during periods of the year when the useof an awning is unnecessary.

It is to be understood that numerous changes in the construction, and in the size, shape and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my present invention or from the scope of the subjoined claims. Many changes will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. For example, it is not essential that the depending, vertically disposed side portions l5 be incorporated in the awning, as these side portions could be readily omitted and the pin and slot connection provided on the upper flat surfaces I5 of the sections.

A further possible modiiication which will suggest itself to one skilled in the art is the omission of the relatively long side flanges I 6 and the substitution therefor of relatively short depending flanges of only a sufficient depth to accommodate the pin and slot connections between the several sections and to hold said sections against relative lateral displacement. It will be apparent from the foregoing description or construction and operation that the several sections of the awning may be adjusted to any desired intermediate position between the fully opened and fully closed positions above described, such sections being retained in their selectively adjustable positions by means of the operating ropes and cleats above referred to. Further, the loops 36 and 42 might extend through openings or passages provided in the window frame at the upper portions thereof, whereby the flexible operating members 32 and 39 would extend to the inside of the dwelling and adjacent the window frame, whereby the awning could be operated from the 'I inside of the window. It will also be obvious that arrangements of pulleys and flexible operating means other than the preferred form disclosed herein may be employed as the means for operating the awning.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An awning comprising a, plurality of relatively iat, slidably connected sections, a. frame member on which said sections are supported, a strip overlying the sections, and means for moving said sections relative to each other and along said frame member and beneath said strip, from a position wherein the sections are extended, to a position wherein the sections are superimposed.

2. An awning comprising a plurality of relatively ilat, slidably connected sections, a frame member on which said sections are slidably supported, a strip overlying the sections and having one end attached to a iixed support for limited sliding movement on said support, and means for moving said sections relative to each other and along said frame member from a position wherein the sections are extended, to a position wherein the sections are superimposed, said strip overlying the upper surface of said sections when said sections are extended and overlying the uppermost section when said sections are superimposed, sald strip being movable with respect to said frame to accommodate the plurality of sections between said frame and said strip when such sections are disposed in superimposed relation therebetween.

3. An awning comprising a plurality of relatively flat, slidably connected sections including an end section adapted to be secured to a substantially vertical supporting surface, a pin and slot connection between said end section and said supporting surface to provide for relative adjustnient of said end section, a frame member secured to the supporting surface and underlying and supporting said sections, and means for moving the remaining sections along the frame member to positions beneath said end member,

the pin and slot connection between said end` member and the supporting surface permitting vertical movement of said end section whereby the remaining sections may be disposed between said end section and frame when the sections are arranged in superimposed relation.

4. An awning comprising a plurality of relatively flat, slidably connected sections adapted for movement from an extended position to a position wherein the sections are superimposed,

and including an end section provided with avertically extending, elongated slot; means passing through said slot for securing said end section to a substantially vertical support and permittine; said end section to move vertically with respect to said support; a frame underlying the sections when said sections are in either superimposed or extended positions; a strip overlying the sections and frame and having an end portion provided with a vertically extending, elongated slot for engagement by the means which passes through the slot in the said end section for securing the strip to said support and permitting vertical movement of the end portion of said strip, whereby said strip and end Section may move vertically with respect to said support; and means for moving said sections other than said end section along the frame and beneath said strip from a position wherein the sections are extended, to a position wherein the sections are disposed in superimposed relation beneath said end section and strip. y

5. An awning comprising a plurality of slidably connected sections each including a relatively fiat top member and depending side portions, the lengths of said sections and depending portions progressively decreasing from the uppermost section to the lowermost section, and means for moving said sections relative to each other from a position wherein the sections are extended, to a position wherein the sections are nested one within the other, the lower edges of the depending side portions all lying in substantially the same horizontal plane when the sections are in their extended positions.

6. An awning comprising a plurality of slidably connected sections including an uppermost section secured to a vertical support, intermediate sections, and a lowermost section; a frame secured to the vertical support and including spaced outwardly and downwardly inclined members along which the intermediate and the lowermost sections are easily slidable; a depending ilange portion extending along the outer edge of the lowermost section and having its lower edge disposed below the frame when the sections are in extended position, said depending ange portion having spaced slots therein to engage over said spaced members of said frame; and means for moving said lowermost and intermediate sections along said spaced members of said frame from a position wherein said sections are extended, to a position wherein they are superimposed beneath the uppermost section.

'7. An awning comprising an uppermost section, intermediate sections and a lowermost section slidably connected together, each section including a top member and depending side portions, the lengths oi said sections and depending side portions progressively decreasing from the uppermost section to the lowermost section; a frame having a downwardly and outwardly inclined portion along which said sections are freely slidable, the lower edges of the depending side portions of said sections all lying in substantially the same horizontal plane when the sections are in their extended positions; a depending flange extending along the outer edge of the 

